Ron Klattenberg, Chair of the Eckersely-Hall Building Committee speaks at the press conference at the site of the Senior and Community center at 61 Durant Street in Middletown. Catherine Avalone - The Middletown Press. less

Ron Klattenberg, Chair of the Eckersely-Hall Building Committee speaks at the press conference at the site of the Senior and Community center at 61 Durant Street in Middletown. Catherine Avalone - The ... more

Photo: Journal Register Co.

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Plans for the Eckersely-Hall Senior and Community center are posted on the front lawn of the facility at 61 Durant Street in Middletown. Catherine Avalone - The Middletown Press

Plans for the Eckersely-Hall Senior and Community center are posted on the front lawn of the facility at 61 Durant Street in Middletown. Catherine Avalone - The Middletown Press

MIDDLETOWN >> The cost to taxpayers of renovating the Eckersley Hall building into a new senior and community center has decreased to about $3.4 million, officials announced Friday.

Thanks to Connecticut Light & Power officials buying tax credits from the city at a value of almost $1.3 million — in addition to a historic restoration grant of $172,300 — the $4.85 million in bonding voters approved last November can be reduced as the city does not have to spend all of it, according to Councilman Ronald Klattenberg, the chairman of the Eckersley Hall Building Committee.

Committee members, city and state elected officials, historic preservation officials along with members from Northeast Utilities and the company chosen to do the renovations on the old school building — Aresco Construction — gathered at the building on Durant Terrace Friday afternoon to announce the news.

“The people of Middletown are going to be the direct beneficiaries,” Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew said. “This project will set a new model for the preservation of historic architecture while also setting a new standard for energy efficiency.”

The city bought the former St. Sebastian School from the Norwich Diocese in early 2011 for $800,000, paid for with a bond premium. The building was first constructed in the late 1800s, then burned down, and a local contractor finally rebuilt it and completed it in 1929.

Prior to the purchase, the diocese installed energy-efficient windows, but many repairs are still needed before anyone can move into the building. A new roof, boiler, elevator, drainage and HVAC systems are the minimum requirements, officials have said. The building also has to be brought from four different elevations to two in order to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A key issue has been preserving original wood trim inside the building as well as nursery rhyme tiles from the early 1930s that surround a fireplace and a 15-by-5-foot mural made by artist Albert McCutcheon in 1935, which covers an entire wall in the former principal’s office.

“We often see projects when we demolish the old and build new,” said state Sen. Dante Bartolomeo. “I am proud to see preservation of this beautiful building.”

State Rep. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, praised the leadership and determination of Klattenberg and Council Minority Leader Phil Pessina in getting this project off the ground.

“This building has seen remarkable things, and is (now) supported by remarkable people,” said Dan Forrest, director of Arts and Historic Preservation. “Our staff dreams of the opportunity to work with people as energetic as this group.”

Bill Herdegen, president of CL&P, said the utility is happy to help give back to the community in a way that will enhance the quality of life for seniors and other residents.

The current senior center on William Street, meant to be temporary space 42 years ago, has been deemed restrictive, undersized and inefficient. It consists of a cafeteria that doubles as space for line dancing, bingo, card games and Wii bowling on the first floor adjacent to a small computer room that houses eight work stations but also doubles as storage space.

The new senior center will include a game room with pool tables to attract more men to the center, a full dining room that can be used as lecture space, a welcoming lobby area and reception, three multi-purpose exercise rooms, a private health screening room, a socialization and television room, a meeting room with a large conference table and an arts & crafts room with a kiln and ceramics storage.

“The seniors will be able to walk into a building, feel good about themselves and have all the amenities they need,” Pessina said.

The new senior and community center is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014.

“When this is done, I can say we have the most modern center in the 9th District,” state Sen. Paul Doyle said. “I look forward to the day we can get those seniors in here.”